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Unmetered ISP 24/7 Freecall has axed 1000 users from its service because it claims they "abused" the service.

An email telling them that were being dropped was sent out yesterday - hours before Freecall pulled the plug.

Freecall also said it would not accept any new customers.

This latest episode comes a little over a month after Freecall booted 400 users off its service for similar reasons.

In the email to the 1000 Freecall said: "We have reached the maximum number of subscribers that we can currently safely cater for without it adversely affecting the service for all users.

"We will therefore not be accepting any new subscribers until we can increase the capacity to cope with new users.

"Sadly as a subscriber to 24-7Freecall your patterns of usage are inconsistent with the levels that we can support at this time. Your usage is causing congestion on the network that is leading to problems for thousands of other users.

"Regretfully your 24-7Freecall account has been terminated on 13th December 2000.

"No refunds will be given."

Despite blaming capacity problems for its decision, Freecall was hastily forced to backtrack after Telia, its network provider, made it clear that this was not an issue.

In a statement issued to The Register, the ISP said: "24-7Freecall would like to clarify that there are no issues with capacity or any other service from Telia UK, the backbone provider, and that this is purely an internal 24-7Freecall matter regarding the heavy users and the effect that has on the ability to provide a sustainable level of service to users."

Sal Abdin, who runs Freecall, dismissed the matter saying that the email had been "worded wrongly".

He also said Freecall was changing it terms and conditions. It seems the 24/7 unmetered ISP is no longer designed for permanent Net access.

Register reader Gordon Scott said he received the email - just four days after Freecall debited £19.99 from his bank account.

"There was no warning, no nothing. I'm pissed off and I want my money back," he said.

Sal Abdin declined to discuss the matter insisting that anyone who had a complaint should get in contact with the company. ®